Official Languages committee  I'm sure that, in the departments in Ottawa, there are a host of studies on issues related to business efficiency and practices. I'm going to talk more particularly about Canadian Heritage. With regard to our programs, we're examining our business practices, and we want to have processes for grant and contribution applications that are efficient and that ensure, once the minister accepts the application, that recipients receive their money in time to achieve their common objectives.

Official Languages committee  We don't have the authority to reimburse the organizations for interest they have accumulated as a result of funding delays.

Official Languages committee  You're asking me if I've received them?

Official Languages committee  In fact, I think you're asking two questions.

Official Languages committee  I received a copy of the report, but the rules of public finance and the Treasury Board's public finance rules do not allow us to reimburse interest in the case of an application to which no response was received after 30 days.

Official Languages committee  Over the years, I believe that between 10% and 12% of our recipients have signed multi-year agreements.

Official Languages committee  Mr. Chairman, to save a little time, we could start on page 4 of the presentation, where we talk about the comprehensive approach to grants and contribution management. We really want to emphasize the federal government's accountability or diligence framework and certain aspects of that framework, such as the Federal Accountability Act, the Financial Administration Act and the Auditor General Act.

Official Languages committee  Mr. Chairman, we are at your disposal. We can make a brief presentation, which would perhaps enable committee members to become acquainted with certain details. However, we can also go directly to questions. I'll let you make the decision. As I previously mentioned, we submitted the answer to the committee's motion on the repayment of unexpended amounts to the clerk.

Official Languages committee  From April 1, 2003 to March 31, 2009, the ministers signed contribution agreements worth $260 million. At the same time, we received repayments of $190,000, which represents approximately one-tenth of 1% of the total contributions made by the department. We have submitted the answer to the committee's motion on the same subject, with the requested details, to the clerk.